Actor David Soul, one half of 'Starsky and Hutch,' dies at 80

The renowned actor, David Soul, best known for his role as "Hutch" in the 1970s famed television series "Starsky & Hutch," has passed away at 80 years old. His wife, Helen Snell, announced his death on Friday. She fondly remembered him as a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and brother, who fought courageously for his life surrounded by his loved ones. "David shared numerous exceptional talents with the world, spanning acting, singing, storytelling, and artistry," she said in her statement. "His life-affirming passion, laughter and smile will continue to be remembered by all those whose lives he enriched."

In "Starsky & Hutch," Soul brought Detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson to life, while Paul Michael Glaser portrayed Detective David Starsky. The series became a phenomenon on ABC from 1975 to 1979, leading to the creation of a range of children's toys. At the peak of his career, Soul topped the music charts with his single "Don't Give Up on Us."

Soul spent much of his later life in the UK, where he undertook several stage roles. In 2001, he came out victorious in a defamation lawsuit against a critic who had panned “The Dead Monkey,” a play in which Soul was performing, without having watched it. He also starred as the eponymous talk show host in "Jerry Springer - The Opera" in London's West End.

Soul, along with his former co-star Glaser, made brief appearances in the 2004 film adaptation of "Starsky & Hutch," which saw Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson stepping into their shoes.